The Effects of Group Smoking Cessation Program on the Smoking Cessation Behavior, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, and Assertive Behavior

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to examine effects of the group smoking cessation program on the smoking cessation behavior. stress, depression, self-esteem, and assertive behavior.The study sample consisted of 25 high-school students, and they were exposed to the smoking cessation program. The major contents of the smoking cessation program included value perspectives auction game, group discussion and video on smoking hazards, positive reinforcement, learning and practicing stress reduction strategies, and assertive training etc., and they were given 9 sessions, twice a week.The instruments used for the study were Fagerstrom Tolerence Questionnaire (Fagerstrom. 1978), Lee's stress inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depressed Mood Scale (CES-D), Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory, and Rathus assertive behavior scale.The data were collected from October 25 to November 22, 1999, and were analysed by frequency, and paired t-test. The results were as follows.1. The scores of nicotine dependency(t=1.825. p=.080). stress(t=.564, p=.578), and depression (t=.374, p=.712) were decreased over time, however they were not statistically significant.2. The score of self-esteem(t=-.385. p= 704) and assertive behavior (t=-.107, p=.916) were increased over time, however they were not statistically significant.Although the effects of group smoking cessation program on nicotine dependency, stress, depression, self-esteem and assertive behaviors was not statistically significant, most students reported that they exerted to change smoking behaviors over time. and made effort to stop smoking. These findings are very meaningful, because they showed no intention to stop smoking at the early stage of the program.Therefore tailoring interventions to participants' motivation level must be developed to reduce adolescents smoking behavior.